A deputy in the Legislative Assembly of St. Petersburg, Pavel Krupnik, called on Mikhail Chernikov, the head of the Main Directorate for Road Safety, to consider suspending a driver’s license after a driver accumulates ten or more unpaid fines. This stance was reported by RT and reflects a broader effort to strengthen enforcement and deter traffic violations through tougher penalties across the country. The proposal signals a clear priority: convert fines into real, actionable consequences that influence driver behavior and reduce the risk on busy roadways.
Krupnik emphasized that Russia is continually tightening its regulatory framework to improve road safety. He highlighted the adoption of new technologies designed to cut the number of road incidents, stressing that practical, enforceable changes are needed to close loopholes and promote safer driving habits nationwide. Officials argue that modern tools and stricter rules can create a more predictable environment for road users, with penalties that align with the severity of violations.
The parliamentarian also pointed to a persistent issue: a segment of vehicle owners who do not comply with traffic regulations. He noted recurring media coverage of drivers who repeatedly flout the rules and accumulate substantial fines, sometimes reaching dozens or hundreds before authorities step in. This underlines the demand for reliable enforcement mechanisms and transparent penalties that deter repeat offenders and provide clear consequences for noncompliant behavior.
In early September, Alexey Tsivilev, who chairs the Standing Committee on Transport and Transport Infrastructure Development for the St. Petersburg Legislative Assembly, announced plans to strengthen law enforcement staffing. He also proposed equipping city workers with electric scooters for official use to streamline operations, speed responses to violations, and improve mobility for inspectors on congested routes. The move aims to make inspections more efficient and to ensure quicker intervention when violations are detected in high-traffic corridors.
Earlier discussions in Russia touched on integrating electric scooters into the traffic oversight system, signaling a broader shift toward tech-enabled policing on urban streets. The objective is to harmonize new mobility devices with existing road safety rules, establishing clear expectations for riders and drivers alike. By aligning devices with established standards, authorities hope to reduce ambiguity and enhance compliance in dynamic city environments, where mobility options are expanding rapidly.